Approval of the terms of reference for the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project Environmental Assessment

Notice of approval – terms of reference

Proponent: Hydro One Networks Incorporated
Environmental assessment file number: EA-02-03-03

As provided for by subsection 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, Terms of Reference, submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment in August 1, 2007 and revised twice with the final amended Terms of Reference being submitted on February 13, 2008 (February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference), to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, is hereby approved.

Pursuant to subsection 6.1(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, submitted to the Ministry of the Environment pursuant to subsection 6.2(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, must be prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference as hereby approved.

Reasons

Having considered the ministry’s review of the February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference, which included consideration of consultation with interested persons as outlined in the accompanying Amended Record of Consultation, February 2008, I am satisfied that an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

1. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference provides that the environmental assessment will include a description of and a statement of the rationale for a reasonable range of alternative methods and that these alternative methods will be assessed during the environmental assessment process.
2. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference requires that the environmental assessment contain a description of sufficient detail of the environment that will be affected or that might reasonably be expected to be affected, directly or indirectly by the undertaking and the alternative methods.
3. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference requires that the environmental assessment contain a description of sufficient detail of the effects that will be caused or that might reasonably be expected to be caused to the environment by the undertaking and the alternative methods.
4. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference requires that the environmental assessment contain a description of sufficient detail of the actions necessary or that may reasonably be expected to be necessary to prevent, change, mitigate or remedy the effects upon or the effects that might reasonably be expected upon the environment by the undertaking and the alternative methods.
5. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference provides that the environmental assessment will contain an evaluation of sufficient detail of the advantages and disadvantages to the environment of the undertaking and the alternative methods.
6. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference provides that the environmental assessment will be prepared using a comprehensive public, Aboriginal community and government agency consultation process that is open and transparent and in particular the environmental assessment will describe the consultation and the results of it.
7. The February 2008 proposed Terms of Reference sets out a planning process that allows for the preparation of an environmental assessment that will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest.

Dated the 4^th day of April, 2008 at Toronto.

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 12^th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5